Humane society plans expansion proposal

SCHUYLER COUNTY—The Schuyler County Humane Society is in the early stages of getting planning board approval for the expansion of facilities. Georgie Taylor, president, said the Schuyler County Planning Board told the Humane Society Thursday, July 8, that a public hearing was needed on the town level first. She said the society is working with the Catharine planning and town boards to get a hearing scheduled. Then, she said the proposal would go before the county board again. Taylor said a hearing may not be held until August. She said the worst case scenario is the society meets with the county planning board in October. She added the society hopes to have all the work done by December of 2011. The Schuyler County Legislature tabled the decision on whether to support the project at the Monday, July 12 meeting. Taylor explained the expansion would be done to the Alpine facility where the humane society offers spaying and neutering. She said it would be done over so the dog shelter could be relocated there. Dogs are currently held in a facility on Van Zandt Hollow Road in Watkins Glen. However, Taylor explained that building is too small for what the Humane Society needs to do. “It’s inadequate,” she said. “It’s not good enough for the needs of the county.” Taylor explained this expansion was necessary when the Humane Society became the operator of the county dog shelter in 2009. She added this would consolidate operations and allow the Humane Society to have a shelter for cats as well. Currently, cats are housed at foster homes. The work is also dependent on the Humane Society raising $350,000 for the work. Taylor explained a capital campaign will be held in the fall to raise the funds. She added sales from the Wags to Riches thrift shop in Watkins Glen also go towards this project.